WWE Speed comes racing back with new look, same fast action

WWE Speed is back.

The fast-paced, high-pressure division — featuring tournament matches with a three-minute time limit — returned Tuesday, debuting on its new home, NXT on The CW Network.

In the opening of a new tournament to name a challenger for Women’s Speed Champion Sol Ruca, the inaugural ladies’ champ Candice LeRae defeated TNA star Xia Brookside.

The new era of Speed featured its traditional format, with both wrestlers starting fast at the opening bell. Brookside scored the early advantage, but LeRae quickly battled back. With 40 seconds remaining, LeRae took full control, planting Brookside with a Tornado DDT. She then followed with a gnarly step-up senton and a springboard moonsault for the win.

Tuesday’s tourney opener showed fans who may be new to the division what Speed is about. Launched in 2024, WWE Speed began as a weekly series on X. In July, it aired its final month before moving to NXT.

With the move to NXT and The CW came new wrinkles. For the first time, longtime viewers could watch a Speed match in real time on TV, not just on their computer or phone. Another change of pace was seeing wrestlers make their entrance. On X, Speed opened with both competitors already in the ring, ready for action.

However, the biggest difference from X to The CW was during the match. In the first minute, fans at WWE’s Performance Center sat under a blue light. With two minutes left, it shifted to orange, signaling time was running out. In the final minute, the lights turned red as a final warning.

Next week, the tournament continues as NXT’s Lainey Reed battles AAA’s Faby Apache. The winner will then face LeRae for a shot at Sol Ruca Sol Ruca and the Women’s Speed Title on Sept. 27 at No Mercy.